TO: Mayor John Laesch
FROM: Josue Alcaraz. Property Standards Manager
John P. Curley. Chief Development Services Officer
DATE: 7/1/2026
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances titled Buildings and Building Regulations to Amend the 2015 I-Series adoption of the International Property Maintenance (IPMC).
PURPOSE:
To clarify and bifurcate the expectations set in ordinance for Boarding of Openings and the subsequent painting and weatherproofing of the boarded openings. Proposed amendment adoption would permit a 3-month delay for painting and fully weatherproofing after immediate securing, boarding and weather resistance of unsecured openings in structures caused by vandalism and catastrophic events.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora presently operates under the 2015 IPMC and has adopted the IPMC APPENDIX A
BOARDING STANDARDS by reference in the adoption. The IPMC appendix does not make any distinction on either a permitted delay in completion of the board painting and weatherproofing NOR does it specify any enforcement discretion based upon extenuating circumstances or weather. Both discretionary instances have historically been applied in past enforcement cases.
DISCUSSION:
Approving this new clarification will set appropriate expectations for structure owners and will allow staff some now codified discretionary enforcement postponement due to inclement weather or extenuating circumstances (family illness, insurance company delays, etc.). Bifurcating the security and esthetic issues in this code passage will achieve the immediate securing of structure the City desires for neighborhood safety and will allow the owner a bit more time to achieve the esthetic painting and caulking of boarded openings within 3 months from the board up.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
Upon approval City Council will allow owners of structures with fires and other accidents more time to haggle with insurance, navigate family illnesses or losses and find an appropriate weather window to complete the painting and caulking of board ups, while still requiring the immediate addressing of the board up(s) and securing of structure(s).
RECOMMENDATIONS:
The City Council should approve the building code amendment recommendations to the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC).
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances titled Buildings and Building Regulations to Amend the 2015 I-Series adoption of the International Property Maintenance (IPMC).
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has determined that it is necessary and desirable to amend Chapter 12 Buildings and Building Regulations in order to update and improve said Ordinances; and
Section One: That the amendments to said Ordinances, being the Aurora Building Code Regulations, are hereby adopted as set forth in said Exhibit “A”.
Section Two: That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect, and shall be controlling, upon adoption, approval and publication as provided by law.
Section Three: That all ordinances or parts of ordinances thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of any such conflict.
Section Four: That any Section or provision of this Ordinance that is construed to be invalid or void shall not affect the remaining sections or provisions which shall remain in full force and effect thereafter.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: an approval Amending Chapter 12 of the Aurora Code of Ordinances titled Buildings and Building Regulations to Amend the 2015 I-Series adoption of the International Property Maintenance (IPMC).